Taxonomy
Scientific Name
Thesium leptostachyum A.DC.
Higher Classification
Dicotyledons
Family
SANTALACEAE
Synonyms
Thesidium leptostachyum (A.DC.) Sond.
National Status
Status and Criteria
Data Deficient - Taxonomically Problematic
Assessment Date
2023/02/13
Assessor(s)
N. Lombard
Justification
A species only known from the type collection made By Drege in 1843. Multiple efforts by Zhigila et al. (2019) to locate it in the field were unsuccessful. Its taxonomic position remains uncertain due to a lack of data. The genus Thesium is taxonomically problematic and in need of revision.
Distribution
Endemism
South African endemic
Provincial distribution
Western Cape
Range
This species is known only from the vicinity of Knysna in the Western Cape Province of South Africa.
Habitat and Ecology
Major system
Terrestrial
Major habitats
Fynbos
Description
It likely occurs in fynbos patches or coastal forests.
Threats
Threats to this species are currently unknown.
Population

The population structure and trends remain unknown.


Population trend
Unknown
Conservation
It is well protected in the Knysna forest.
Assessment History
Taxon assessed
Status and Criteria
Citation/Red List version
Thesium leptostachyum A.DC.Data Deficient (Taxonomically Problematic) 2015.1
Thesidium leptostachyum (A.DC.) Sond.Data Deficient (Taxonomically Problematic) Raimondo et al. (2009)
Bibliography

Forest, F. and Manning, J.C. 2013. SANTALACEAE: The minor genera Kunkeliella and Thesidium included in Thesium. Bothalia 43(2):214-216.


Goldblatt, P. and Manning, J.C. 2000. Cape Plants: A conspectus of the Cape Flora of South Africa. Strelitzia 9. National Botanical Institute, Cape Town.


Hill, A.W. 1915. Santalaceae. In: W.T. Thiselton-Dyer (ed). Flora Capensis V Section II (Thymeleaceae-Ceratophylleae):135-212. L. Reeve & Co., Ltd., Ashford.


Manning, J.C. and Goldblatt, P. 2012. Plants of the Greater Cape Floristic Region 1: The Core Cape Flora. Strelitzia 29. South African National Biodiversity Institute, Pretoria.


Raimondo, D., von Staden, L., Foden, W., Victor, J.E., Helme, N.A., Turner, R.C., Kamundi, D.A. and Manyama, P.A. 2009. Red List of South African Plants. Strelitzia 25. South African National Biodiversity Institute, Pretoria.


Zhigila, D.A., Verboom, G.A., Stirton, C.H. and Muasya, A.M. 2019. A taxonofmic revision of Thesiumsection Hagnothesium(Santalaceae) and description of a new species, T. quartzicolum. South African Journal of Botany 124:280-303.


Citation
Lombard, N. 2023. Thesium leptostachyum A.DC. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version . Accessed on 2025/05/09

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Distribution map


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